– ‘Here’s the problem… people really hate you,’ US bankers told (Independent):
Announcing the hearings last week, Barney Frank, the chairman of the Financial Services Committee, said that public patience with Wall Street bailouts had worn thin. “As I’ve said to a couple of the bankers, ‘Here’s this problem: People really hate you, and they’re starting to hate us because we’re hanging out with you,'” Mr Frank said.

–Home prices in record plunge(CNN Money):
The National Association of Realtors reports that home prices dropped a record 12.4% in the final quarter of 2008 – the biggest decline in 30 years.

– Meltdown 101: Highlights of economic stimulus plan (AP):
Many leading economists have concluded that the stimulus alone may be insufficient to bring a quick turnaround for the economy. (No government can turn around an entire economy and is also not supposed to do so.)

– Big satellites collide 500 miles over Siberia (AP):CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two big communications satellites collided in the first-ever crash of two intact spacecraft in orbit, shooting out a pair of massive debris clouds and posing a slight risk to the international space station.

– Chavez reports attempted coup (AFP):CARACAS, (AFP) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez reported an attempted coup against his palace by army troops in contact with “a soldier on the run in the United States,” but said the government had everything under control.